TSA procedures facilitate drug theft

Mike, when I called TSA about their requirements for the disabled, I was told if I did not want to take them out for hand inspection, I could leave them in the bag but just inform TSA about the schedule II narcotics.

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If they are in properly labeled prescription bottles, it is 100% none of their business. If you are traveling with them in 7-day containers, carry the original prescription bottles with you.

I assume that by not declaring they might assume I am a drug trafficker.

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If, incidental to a proper search for weapons, incendiaries and explosives, they notice evidence of illegal drug trafficing or possession, they will refer it to law enforcement. The first point is that they can't go looking for drugs, and the second is that properly prescribed medications can't possibly be evidence of illegal drugs.

Simply put, your prescriptions are none of TSA's business. Only if they are in liquid or gel form in quantities > 100 ml. or if they won't fit in your normal 1 quart baggie do you have to submit them separately.

If they are in properly labeled prescription bottles, it is 100% none of their business. If you are traveling with them in 7-day containers, carry the original prescription bottles with you.

If, incidental to a proper search for weapons, incendiaries and explosives, they notice evidence of illegal drug trafficing or possession, they will refer it to law enforcement. The first point is that they can't go looking for drugs, and the second is that properly prescribed medications can't possibly be evidence of illegal drugs.

Simply put, your prescriptions are none of TSA's business. Only if they are in liquid or gel form in quantities > 100 ml. or if they won't fit in your normal 1 quart baggie do you have to submit them separately.

Its situations like this are why my meds are in a locked bag, and I know what the count is on everything. If TSA wants to look they will be doing so with LEO watching there every move, like a criminal since they have long since proven cant be trusted. Same for my wallet and I will be collecting info on the nosey dolt... As im not going to go through the identity theft gauntlet again.

If, incidental to a proper search for weapons, incendiaries and explosives, they notice evidence of illegal drug trafficing or possession, they will refer it to law enforcement.

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Or, more often, if you simply fail to kowtow and offer what the TSA goons consider "proper obeisance," they'll make stuff up and call law enforcement officers stating that they believe you're involved in shady business.

Like carrying $4700 in cash, or a set of sequentially-numbered checks - could be drug money or a "divorce situation."

The simple truth is that if the idiots were smart enough to know what "evidence" is, they'd have a real job and not be working for the TSA. Instead, they waste billions every year paying these idiots to steal things, terrorize children, and steal Granny's underwear.

Yea, I don't get why anyone told you your medication needed to be hand checked. Any non-liquid medication is best kept in your carryon baggage. There's no need for it to be searched.

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Reports are full of accounts of TSA clerks forcing people to hand over their medication or pawing through it. This isn't an anomaly.

And because people are still, still, too trusting, and don't think some goon is going to steal their medication or allow it to be left out of their sight, they don't know they should follow TravelinMedic's advice and lock it with secure, theft-proof locks. "Oh, I have to protect myself from thugs!" isn't the first thought of most people just trying to go from A to B.

The teacher who was arrested in this case was a teacher at my children's high school. Her children are into drugs (as is she I suspect), and she told the TSA that she was planning to sell the drugs for money because her children had drug problems (expensive, I guess). This has really shaken up our community since she was a teacher. I feel bad for the person whose drugs those really belonged to because I presume they really needed them for a medical reason based on previous posts. When I travel with prescription meds I always take them on my carry on bag because I don't want them to get lost, so I completely understand that. I do think the TSA did not show good judgement or care when it would be that easy for someone else to get their hands on someone else's medications.

Are you still asked the question, "have your bags remained in your control" at the airport these days? Because normally they are in your control UNTIL you get to security. Unless the timing is perfect, which it hardly ever is, your carry on stuff is through the X-ray machine and at the end of conveyor belt before you are finished being screened and if you are held up for additional screening your bags might sit at the end of that belt, or on the floor, for some time. Who is in CONTROL of your bags then? Not you and not the TSA who are busy harassing another passenger. Anyone, from another passenger or an airport worker, can take something out of your bags or put something IN your bags and chances are in the chaos that is security nobody would notice. The "sterile" area many times isn't so sterile. Your checked bags can't be locked so there's yet another opportunity to have something stolen or something put in your bags but apparently as long as you aren't carrying anything forbidden in your crotch or between or under your breasts there's nothing to worry about. And about prescription drugs - mess with my drugs and you'll see a senior citizen have a temper tantrum and meltdown that would put a 2 year old to shame.

No, screw that too. Again, TSA can look for WEI only. If you have a 7-day container full of a few dozen white tablets, the TSA has no business asking what they are. If it's not able to blow up a plane and there's not evidence of a crime (having pills is not a crime), they must ignore.

Telling a bunch of Florida degenerates to mind your stockpile of opiates is a terrible idea. For anyone that doesn't know, 150 oxys have a street value of $1,500, and the fentanyl is in addition to that. Simply pack them in your bag and do not mention unless asked. Even if asked, "that is my medication" is sufficient -- there is no need to identify the medication.